Debiopharm Group (Debiopharm), a Swiss-based global biopharmaceutical group of companies with a focus on the development of prescription drugs that target unmet medical needs, and MSM Protein Technologies (MSM), a human antibody drug discovery company with world class expertise in targeting multi-spanning membrane proteins, announced the signature of an exclusive agreement for the development and commercialisation of Debio 0929, an antibody targeting a G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR), to be developed into a new oncology therapeutic drug.

Under the terms of the agreement, Debiopharm and MSM have formed a partnership to select antibodies against the GPCR. Upon completion of the discovery phase, MSM will grant Debiopharm a worldwide exclusive licence for the development and commercialisation of the antibody. MSM will retain marketing rights for Russia, Ukraine and several other countries in Eastern Europe and Asia. MSM will receive milestone payments from Debiopharm during the development of the product, as well as a share of royalties on net sales.

"We usually licence-in compounds with existing animal proof of concept, but we were seduced by MSM's technology and their expertise in the generation of antibodies aimed at GPCRs," said Rolland-Yves Mauvernay, president and founder of Debiopharm Group. "This is a win-win situation, our companies complement one another. MSMs discovery expertise, together with our experience in drug development should lead to innovative oncology therapeutics."

"This is a transformational deal for MSM because it represents our first jointly owned program with a global partner. We are pleased to be working with Debiopharm because they are an excellent company that complements MSM's skill set. We are also happy to be among Debiopharm's partners in the antibody space," added Davis Farmer, MSM's Chairman.

Tajib A Mirzabekov, president and CEO of MSM commented, "This is a very exciting transaction for MSM. We are working with a great partner, on a very exciting and valuable target and we have the chance to launch what may be the first novel biologic in Russia through our Russian subsidiary, Meprotek. It provides a substantial validation for our technology and our team to work with a company of Debiopharm's caliber. There is a great need in targeting of GPCRs with functionally active, high quality and potent human monoclonal antibodies."

Debiopharm Group is a Swiss-based global biopharmaceutical group of companies with a focus on the development of prescription drugs that target unmet medical needs.

MSM is a closely held drug discovery company based in Boston. MSM is the leader in the discovery of antibodies targeting multispanning membrane proteins.

GPCRs comprise a large protein family of transmembrane receptors that sense molecules outside the cell and activate inside signal transduction pathways and, ultimately, cellular responses.